Nutritional support in an inpatient rehabilitation unit.
Twenty-four patients with protein-calorie malnutrition were treated with intensive dietary support to improve nutritional status. Sixteen patients were able to ingest a mean of 1,945kcal and 77gm protein per 24 hours. Eight patients were unable to consume sufficient protein (11 gm) and kcal (311 gm) per 24 hours; these patients were treated with enteral tube feeding. Patients supported on tube feeding increased serum albumin levels by 0.5gm/100ml and were eventually able to consume 2,170kcal and 87gm of protein per 24-hour period after tube feeding was discontinued. Treatment of patients with protein-calorie malnutrition may require a multiple-modality nutritional support system in a rehabilitation unit.
D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000178:diet therapy*; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis
D012709:Serum Albumin